To Swell vs Swelling Infinitives & Gerunds

When and How to Use Each Expression?

Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!

To swell (Infinitive)

Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to swell" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action

Example

I don't want to swell up after eating so much.

Swelling (Gerund)

Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "swelling" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.

Example

Swelling is a common symptom of an allergic reaction.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To swell (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To swell is a normal response to an injury.

  To swell is a normal response to an injury.

  • "*To swell*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a normal response to an injury).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to swell up with pride.

  She wants me to swell up with pride.

  • "Me *to swell* up with pride" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to swell* up with pride).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  I need an ice pack to reduce the swelling.

  I need an ice pack to reduce the swelling.

  • "*To reduce* the swelling" modifies the noun "ice pack."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (an ice pack *to reduce* the swelling).

Swelling (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Swelling can be a sign of an underlying medical condition.

  Swelling can be a sign of an underlying medical condition.

  • "*Swelling*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (can be) + noun phrase (a sign of an underlying medical condition).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy swelling up with pride when I achieve my goals.

  I enjoy swelling up with pride when I achieve my goals.

  • "*Swelling* up with pride" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*swelling* up with pride).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a fear of swelling after eating certain foods.

  She has a fear of swelling after eating certain foods.

  • "Of *swelling* after eating certain foods" is the object of the preposition "of."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a fear of *swelling* after eating certain foods).

Verbs Taking Infinitives/Gerunds as Objects

The following are verbs that can take only the base form of the verb (infinitive), only the -ing form (gerund), or both.

Verbs Taking Infinitives as Objects

• hope
• want
• attempt
• decide
• determine

Example

They hope to swell with joy when they win the championship.

He wants to swell his bank account with savings.

We attempted to swell our ranks by recruiting new members.

I decided to swell the recipe with extra spices.

She determined to swell her business by expanding into new markets.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• avoid
• consider
• recommend
• postpone
• deny

Example

He avoids swelling by taking allergy medication.

I am considering swelling my savings account for future expenses.

Doctors recommend applying cold compresses to reduce swelling.

They postponed the surgery due to the patient's swelling.

She denied swelling up with anger during the argument.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

I like to swell the ranks of my team with talented players. I like swelling the ranks of my team with talented players.

We started to swell the balloon with air. We started swelling the balloon with air.

He began to swell with pride after receiving the award. He began swelling with pride after receiving the award.